RE: HELL on Earth EXISTS, but HELL as a place, simply CAN NOT.
Ah yes, I went on a similar journey myself, I especially like how you said "If we can forgive but God cannot that would make us greater than God." I was raised in the Christian faith, taught that Jesus was the only path to Heaven since the time I had language. I went through a very long an arduous journey to break free from such powerful indoctrination, but ultimately I decided that too much of my 'faith' was rooted in fear and i refused to believe in something just because I was afraid not to believe it. Once that decision was made I was able to see just how little logic there was in much of what I had been taught. I had the same thoughts "If supposedly in Heaven there is no more sorrow or pain, how could that be possible if someone I loved went to hell?" I remember asking my mother that once when I was young and she said that we must not remember that person. Was that supposed to be comforting, because the thought of that was AWFUL.
That's terrible that you went through that. The only thing that might be good about it is one thing I've come to believe about this place is that it demands a balance. I'm not sure if it'll necessarily happen in this life, but perhaps the next one will be defined by pleasure.
Thanks for the wonderful reply and the empathy. "That's terrible that you went through that". Yes I did suffer tremendously and for a long time, but today, three years later, I am in full health and love life. I do not regret the experience as I learned lessons in life that I never would have learned. I feel it made me a better person. I am far more empathic that I ever was and can feel literally the pain of others. In some way that has made life harder but I am glad of it. For to be able to "feel" means you are alive. Those who do not feel things, have hardened their hearts so they do not, are in way already dead. A living dead. A zombie I guess. I cry more at films and not afraid to show my emotions. I have a stronger faith, although it has changed. More solid I would say. But what is amazing is how quickly you forget the pain and move on. Hell can be experienced on earth but not in the after life. I agree with you that the idea that we "forget" our loved ones is horrendous. It seems even more cruel than being tortured. It smells of brainwashing and losing free will. I think for Christianity to survive we must weaken religion but strengthen faith. Cheers!.